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Completed

NCT Number: NCT03621800

Menthol Popsicle to Manage the Elderly Patient's Thirst in the Immediate Postoperative Period

Thirst is defined as the desire for water seeking and consumption, and is a prevalent symptom in the immediate postoperative period in all age groups. The elderly surgical patient, despite presenting reduced physiological responses to thirst and satiety, in clinical practice, it is observed that they have high thirst intensity. There is evidence that strategies using cold temperatures are effective in quenching thirst of the surgical patient, for this reason, the present study is justified, in order to find strategies that help to reduce thirst in this specific population that is the elderly surgical patient.

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Key information

Conditions

Thirst

Age range

60 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Marilia Ferrari Conchon

Cambé, PR-Paraná, 86192430, Brazil

About this study

The present study aims to: compare the intensity and discomfort of thirst in the use of the menthol popsicle and usual care in elderly patients in the immediate postoperative period. This is a randomized clinical trial, to be performed in a public tertiary hospital. The sample size calculation will be performed after the pilot test is conducted. Two groups will be formed through randomization. The tested intervention consists of the menthol popsicle (experimental group). Thirst intensity (primary outcome) will be measured by means of the Visual Numerical Scale and the discomfort of thirst (secondary outcome) through the Perioperative Thirst Discomfort Scale, in two moments: at the end of the first assesment of the patient and 20 minutes after the intervention. With the results of this study the intend is to offer to the scientific society subsidies on thirst presented by the elderly patients, generating evidence for the improvement of clinical practice. In addition to contributing to the preparation of health professionals in the assertive care of the elderly population, it is estimated to deepen the knowledge about appropriate and innovative interventions to manage the postoperative thirst of the elderly, considered to be this, a representative and growing part of the world population.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Elective Surgeries;
  • Aged 60 years and over;
  • Being fasting;
  • Verbalize thirst;
  • Have been approved in the assesment of Safety Protocol of Thirst Management (SPTM)

Exclusion criteria

  • Patients with ingestion and swallowing restrictions;
  • Patients with self-reported allergy to mint;

Treatment and study plan

Menthol popsicle

Other

The menthol popsicle composed of 0.05% menthol, 0.05% saccharin, 20ml ultrafiltered water and 2% cereal alcohol. The menthol popsicle was supported by a stick, allowing patients to taste more comfortably, with autonomy and safety

Other names: Menthol ice

Primary outcomes

  1. Thirst intensity

    Time frame: Measured at the beginning of the survey. For the experimental group, this measurement was made again 20 minutes after tasting the menthol popsicle. For the control group, this measure was made 20 minutes after the randomization

    For assesment of thirst intensity , a Visual Numeral Scale (VNS) was used, with a range from 0 (no thirst) to 10 (very intense thirst), as reported by the patients when questioned.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Thirst discomfort

    Time frame: Measured at the beginning of the survey. For the experimental group, this measurement was made again 20 minutes after tasting the menthol popsicle. For the control group, this measure was made 20 minutes after the randomization

    The Perioperative Thirst Discomfort Scale (PTDS) was used to assess thirst discomfort. This scale is composed of 7 attributes that evaluate the signs of discomfort of perioperative thirst, as follows: dry mouth, dry lips, thick tongue, thick saliva, bad taste in the mouth, and desire to drink water. Each attribute varies between 0 (not uncomfortable), 1 (a little uncomfortable), and 2 (very uncomfortable). The final sum of the PTDS can range from 0 to 14 points, and 14 corresponds to the most intense thirst discomfort reported by the patient.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Sao Paulo

Other

Collaborators

  • Universidade Estadual de Londrina

Registry information

Official study title

The Use of the Menthol Popsicle to Manage the Elderly Patient's Thirst in the Immediate Postoperative Period: a Randomized Clinical Trial

Important dates

Study start
2018
Primary completion
2018
Study completion
2018
First posted
Aug 8, 2018
Registry last updated
Aug 8, 2018

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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